Second-hand-setting mechanism for watches.



C. SINBAD.

SECOND HAND SETTING MECHANISM FOR WATCHES. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8. i916. lfififim Patented Oct. 23,1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET l.

1 a a II III I! C. SINBAD. SECOND HAND. SETTING MEcHAMSM FOR WATCHES.

Patented Oct. 23,1917.

3 SHEETS SHEET 2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES SINBAD, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-SIXTH TO PETER J. M. BERTELSEN AND ONE-SIXTH TO ANDREW BERTELSEN, BOTH OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

SECOND-HAND-SETTING MECHANISM FOR WATCHES.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES SINBAD, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Second-Hand-S'etting Mechanism for \Vatches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in watches and more particularly to the setting mechanisms thereof, the primary object of my invention being the provision of a mechanism for pendant set watches by means of which it is possible to set the second hand of the watch by the lever and stem employed at the present time in setting the minute and hour hands, this being accomplished without any possibility of injury to the watch.

l/Vhen a watch leaves a watchmaker, the minute hand and second hand should correspend, the second hand being at the mark of its dial when the minute hand is upon a full minute mark. Obviously, however, the hands will correspond in this manner only until the first time that the watch is reset and no satisfactory way, at present, is known for overcoming this difficulty, although two methods are commonly employed. v

One way of bringing the second hand into correspondence with the minute hand of the watch is to move the second hand with a pair of tweezers, a screw driver or other suitable instrumentwhile the watch is running. The probability of breaking the roller ewels or injuring the pallet jewels or the balance pivots and like parts is great if this method is followed. The other way, which is the way generally employed, is to stop the balance wheel until the second hand corresponds with the second hand upon the regulator by which the watch is being set and in then setting the minute hand to correspond to the regulator. The balance wheel is commonly stopped by a feather and inasmuch as the jewels are covered with oil oil frequently gets upon the feather and from thefeather to the hair-spring with the result that the watch will not keep proper time until such oil has been removed, which can be done only by removing the bridge with its balance wheel and hair-spring from Specification of Letters Patent.

- Patented Oct. 23, 1917.

Application filed November 8, 1916. Serial N 0. 130,191.

the rest of the watch. To overcome this, some people employ a pin, needle or other instrument to stop the balance wheel, but this method is open to objection because of the extreme likelihood of injuring the pivots of the balance wheel.

Of course, it is obvious that the better the watch and the more delicate its works, the more likely it is to be injured by improper treatment and one of the primary objects of my invention consists in providing an arrangement for stopping the second hand of a watch which cannot possibly injure any portion of the watch no matter how delicate its construction may be.

In this connection, a further object of my invention is to provide a swinging support for the second hand pivot which may be mounted between the plates of the watch in such a manner that the pinion of the second hand pivot may be swung into and out of mesh with the toothed wheel by which it is driven. Obviously, this cannot place any strain upon the jewels, pivots or other delicate portions of the watch mechanism and no injury can result.

A still further object of my invention is to mount the swinging support for the second hand pivot in such a manner that such pivot is firmly held in order that a second hand may be adjusted upon its pivot or spindle without injuring the other parts of the watch or even removed from its pivot or spindle no matter how tightly it may be wedged or held thereon.

A still further object of my invention consists in the provision of a switch lever for swinging the second hand pivot carrying member into and out of normal position and in so arranging the switch lever and a setting lever that actuation of the pendant stem, in the usual manner, to permit setting f the watch, will actuate the setting lever and the switch lever to swing the pinion of the second hand pivot out of engagement with its drive wheel.

Although the switch lever acts to positively swing the second hand pivot to inactive position, I preferably depend upon the action of a spring to return the pivot to active or normal position, and a still further object of my invention consists in providing an adjustable device for limiting the return movement of the second hand pivot invention will be more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and then s ecifically pointed out in the claims which are attachedto and form a part of this application.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of my invention applied to an eighteen size, lever set watch movement of a standard open face type, a portion of the top or back plate being broken away to show the device and the correlated parts of the watch works proper;

Fig. '2 is a plan view of the lower or face plate of the watch'with the works removed, showing certain modifications in structure to adapt it for receipt of my improvement; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through the back and front plates of the watch, showing my device in elevation;

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the main portion of my invention, showing the parts in unas sembled position Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4:, in connection with the toothed wheel which drives thesecond hand pivot; I

Fig. 6 isan outside plan View of the lower or face plate of the watch, showing my invention applied, the setting mechanism being in inactive or normal position;

Fig. 7 is a view corresponding to Fig. (5,

showing the hand setting mechanism 111 active position Fig. 8 is an outer plan view of the top or back plate of the watch;

F 1g. 9 1s an inner plan view of the same plate with the works removed;

Fig. 10 illustrates a banking screw ployed-in adjusting my device;

Fig. 1.1 is a fragmentary plan view of the watch dial with my invention applied.

. Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

In order to insure a clear and accurate understanding of my invention, I have illus trated it in connection with the works of an American pendant set movement, open face watch of standard type having the front or general including suitable trains of gearing between the toothed Wheel of the mainspring barrel, the hour and minute hand pivots, and the pivot 14 of the pinion 15 which meshes with the third wheel 16 carried by the third wheel pivot 17.

Under ordinary circumstances,the third wheel 16 meshes with the pinion of the second hand pivot of the watch at all times. My invention primarily resides in providing a supplemental third wheel mounted upon the pivot of thernain third wheel and i in so mounting the pivot of the second hand thatit, together with its pinion, may be swung to bring itspinion either into or out of mesh with the teeth of the supplemental third wheel. To accomplish this, I rovide second hand pivot supporting mem er, indicated as a whole by the numeral 18, best illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5' inclusive of the drawings, and suitably prepare the back and front plates of the watch for the reception of this member and its correlated elements. The member 18 includes two body members 19 and 20, the former ofwhich is substantially Lshaped, having an arm 21 terminating at its ends in pivots 22 and 23, the latter pivot being formed with a shoulder 24 at its point of juncture with the arm 21. These pivot-s are in alinement with each other and seat in suitable bearing forming bores or holes 25 formed in the back and front plates of the watch. The inner face of the front plate about its pivot receiving bore recessed, as shown at 26. to form a bearing for the adjacent end of the arm 21, while the shoulder '24 engages the inner face of the back plate to provide a. similar bearing. Obviously, by this arrangement, the body portion 19 of the member 18 is firmly supported against any movement other than a swinging movement about its pivots 22 and 23, as an axis. The other arm of the body portion 19, at its free end, is provided with an offset bulk head 27 which is cylindrical in shape and which seats in a circular depression 28 formed by cutting away or counter-sinking the inner face of the back plate 11. It should be noted at this point that this depression 28 is of such extent as to permit a limited swinging movement of that arm of the body portion 19 carrying the bulk head 27. The other body portion 20 of the second hand pivot supporting member 18 is substantially rectangular in shape.

being" proportioned to engage against and coincide with the lower face of the hori zontal arm of the body portion 19 to which it is secured by a screw 29. This body portion 20 is formed with an ofiset bulk head 30, corresponding to the bulk head 27, and in direct alinement therewith, this bulk head seating in the recess 31 formed in the inner face of the front plate 10 of the watch and corresponding to the recess 28 in the back. At this point it should be noted that there is the same end shake, if any, between the pivoted end of the member 18 and the face plates as between the bulk heads and face plates so that if strain is exerted to draw a second hand from its pivot that end of the arm 21 engaging the front plate and the bulk head will engage the front plate at the same time and so that if strain is exerted by pressing the second hand upon its pivot, the shoulder 24 and bulk head 27 will engage the back plate at the same time, with the result that the strain is uniformly taken upby these bearing surfaces and all injury to the parts prevented A power pin 32 extends from the body portion 19, adjacent its arm 21, through the body portion 20 and through an arcuate slot 33 formed inthe front plate of the watch. In like manner, a switch pin 34 extends from the body portion 19, adjacent its bulk head 27, through the bodyportion 20, and through anarcuate slot 35 in the front plate of the watch. These pins prevent any turning movement of the body members with respect to each Other, although this is merely an in- 'cidental function which they possess.

The opposed or inner faces of the bulk heads 27 and 30 are formed with cylindrical seats or recesses 36 to receive the second hand pivot 37 and the ends of this pivot are reduced and passed through bores or open ings 38 formed completely through the bulk heads, that end of the pivot passing through the bulk head 30 being extended to form a second hand receiving spindle 39 which not only projects through the bulk head and through an arcuate slot 40 formed in the front plate, but also through a correspond ing slot 41 formed in the dial 42 of the watch, as best shown in Fig. 11. Attention should be taken of the fact that the ends of the second hand pivot 37, as well as the ends of the pins 32 and 34, do not, at any time, touch either the back or front plates of the watch.

The slot in the back plate 11, which receives one end of the pivot 37 provides means for oiling and as the pivot does not go completely through the slot, oil supplied therein will not run out upon the plate.

Referring to Fig. 5, it should be noted that the third wheel 16 of the watch, to which power is transmitted by the third wheel pivot 17 and which usually meshes with the pinion of the second hand carrying pivot,

projects between the bulk heads 27 and 30 and is in no way interfered with by my second hand pivot with a pinion 43 and the third wheel pinion with a supplemental third wheel 44. These correspond to the ordinary third wheel and second hand pinion, with the exception that both the pinion and wheel have doublethe usual number of teeth in order that they may split seconds as the pinion is swung into and out of engagement with the supplemental third wheel. As a means for preventing continued turning or over-turning of the second hand pivot, when its pinion is out of engagement with the supplemental third wheel, I provide a very light friction spring 45 of the leaf spring type which is secured at one end to the intermediate portion of one side of the body portion 19 of the member 18 and which, at its other end, engages tangentially against the pivot 37. This friction spring 'also keeps the second hand from trembling.

As will be seen by referring to Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings, the outer face of the front plate 10 of the watch is provided with a circular recess 46 and an arcuate recess 47 extending from the-recess 46 to the recess 48 in which a setting lever and yoke operate. Both the power and switch pins 32 and 34 extending into the recesses 46 and 47, respectively and a spring 49 secured in the recess 46 engages the end of the power pin to normally hold the second hand pivot carrying member 18 in such position that the second hand pinion 43 is held in mesh with the supplemental third wheel 44. I In order to properly adjust the depth to which the teeth of this pinion and wheel shall intermesh, I provide a banking screw 50 which, as best shown in Fig. 10, includes a threaded body portion having a doubly slotted end to receive a screw driver and an eccentric-ally formed banking pin 51 extending from its opposite end. This screw is threaded inwardly through the face plate 10 through an opening 52 so disposed that the banking pin 51 will engage the side of the pivot holding member 18 and adjustably limit its swinging movement into active position. The plates 10 and 11 are preferably formed with small openings or peekholes 50 through which the intermeshing teeth of the pinion 43 and supplemental third wheel 44 are disclosed in order to facil 1 itate adjustment by means of the banking screw.

Having thus described the improved means for swingingly supporting the second hand carrying pivot of the watch in such a manner that the second hand pinion may be moved into and out of engagement with the supplemental third wheel, I will now explain the means by which the ordinary hand setting mechanism of the watch may be utilized to effect the swinging of the second hand pivot to unmesh its pinion from the supplemental third wheel. Referringmore partieularlyto Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings, 533 indicates the usual hand setting yoke and 54; the yoke spring. This yoke is provided with the usual ,finger55 en ageable by one arm ofa bell crank setting ever 56, theopposite armof which is formed with an arcuate extension 57 which projects into an arcuate extension 58 of the recess 48. This extension of the lever arm is cut-away along its outer-,edgeto provide an elongated notch 59, Pivoted intermediate its length by a screwbO and seatingin the arcuate recess l7, previously mentioned, is a switch lever 01 formed at one end with a finger .62 which seats in the notch v59 and at its opposite, endwith a head having a cam face 63 adapted to engage the switch pin 34 upon outward swinging. of the lever to the posi tion shown in Fig. 7 to swing the second hand-pivot supporting member 18 and hold it with the second hand pivot 43 out of mesh with the supplemental third wheel 4.4. .Unless otherwise held, the setting lever 56 will, together with the yoke, be held in normal position, as shown in Fig. 6, by the yoke spring and whenever it moves to, this normal position, the power spring 49 will return the second. hand pivot supporting member 18 to normal position to bring the pinion 43 into mesh with, the supplemental third wheel 44.

The lever 56'is provided at that side of its pivot opposite the ,arcuate extension 57 with a cam projection (3a, and a spring 65 seated in a recess66 formed in the front plate 10 engagesthis cam portion to act as lever is substantially crescent-shaped and its opposite end is engaged by the usual plunger or ,push pieceTO which touches against the end of the stem inside the pinion or winding wheel 71.

Obviously, when the stem is pulled out to setthe watch, the tripping lever 69 may move to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2 to permit movement of the pin 67 through the slot 68 under pressure of the spring Giiagainst the setting lever 56 and outward pulling'of the stem will, therefore, permit movement of the setting lever to the position shown in Fig. 7 while inward movement of the stem will serve, through .the tripping lever, to .return 7 the setting lever and, consequently, the switohlever 61 to normal position, as shown in Fig. 6.

The operation of setting a watch equipped with my improved second hand setting device is as follows:

The operator grasps the endant stern and watches the second hand move until it reaches the mark 60 when he pulls-outthb stem, moving the second hand pinion out of engagement with the supplemental third wheel and, consequently, stoppi its movement. The operator then turns t e stem of 'the watch to bring the hourand minute hands to the right position, according to the regulatm or chronolneter by which the watch is being set and holds the minute its hands correspond as they should. Upon' pullingout of the stem, the second hand, which at that time was on'the 60 mark of thesecondhand dial, is swung backward one or more CllVlSlOllS of the dial, due to the.

swinging action. This second hand will, however, move forward a corresponding amount, also due to the swinging action, when the stem is pushed in and the second hand carrying member returned to normal position. This rearward swinging movement of the second hand need not, therefore, be considered in setting the watch. Obviously, with the second hand pinion in inactive position, or out of mesh with the .third wheel, the second hand may be turned upon the pinion or removed and replaced by another without. any injury to the watch no matter how delicate its works may be.

Although I have referred to the plates 10 and 11 as front and back plates, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited .to the plates shown, as I intend, by the .term plate. to cover not only the relatively. solid plate but also skeletonized plates, bridges and other supporting members employed in watch construction. The word plate, both in the specificationand claims,

.should, therefore, be construed as including plates, bridges and like structures.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. Ina pendant set watch, the combination .with a setting stem, a train of gearing, a

said means including a lever operable upon movement to one position to cause swinging of the pivot to bring the pinion out of mesh with its gear element, means normally tending to move the lever to such position, and a stem controlled tripping lever normally holding the first lever in its other position.

2. In a. pendant set watch, the combination with a reciprocally mounted stem, of a trip ping lever pivoted intermediate its length and normally held in one position by the stem and movable to another position upon outward movement of the stem, a setting lever carrying a pin constantly engaging the tripping lever and normally held in one position through locking of the tripping lever by the stem, a spring constantly tending to move the setting lever to another position, a switch lever engageable upon movement of the setting lever to another position by the tripping lever, whereby it will be swung, a train of gearing, a second hand pivot carrying a pinion normally meshing with one element of the gearing, a member supporting the pivot and capable of swinging movement, and means normally holding the member to maintain the pivot in engagement with its gear element, the member being engageable by the switch lever upon release of the tripping lever to swing the member to another position.

3. In a pendant set watch, the combination with a setting stem, of a train of gearing, a second hand pivot, a pinion mounted on the pivot, the pivot being supported for swinging movement to bring its pinion into and out of mesh with one element of the gearing, a tripping lever operatively engaged by the stem at all times and movable through movement of the stem, and opera tive connection between the tripping lever and pivot whereby movement of the stem will cause swinging of the pivot, said means including a spring pressed setting lever adapted when moved through the action of its spring to cause swinging of the pivot, and a pin extending from the setting lever into the path of movement of the tripping lever.

4;. In a pendant set watch, the combination with a setting stem movable to a position where it may be rotated to set the hour and minute hands of the watch, of a train of gearing, a second hand pivot, a pinion mounted on the pivot, the pivot being supported for swinging movement to bring its pinion into and out of mesh with one element of the gearing, means movable to swing the pivot, cooperating means constantly tending to force the first means to swing the pivot to bring its pinion out of mesh with the element of gearing, a tripping lever normally blocking the movement of the first mentioned means, and operative engagement between the tripping lever and stem, whereby movement of the stem into a position to set the hour and minute hands moves the trip ping lever to release the first mentioned means.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature.

CHARLES SINBAD. 14.8.

Copies of this patent may be'ohtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G. 

